Apprentice Residential Care Worker - Kyloe House

Northumberland County Council; Stannington Station; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded Level 4 apprenticeship

Enhanced pay for evenings, weekends, &

Sleep-in duties

Job summary

Northumberland County Council invites applications for an Apprentice Residential Care Worker at Kyloe House. You will join a supportive team, gaining hands-on experience while pursuing a funded Level 4 apprenticeship in a secure home environment for young people.

The role involves flexible shifts, safeguarding responsibilities, and building practical skills under experienced supervision. This apprenticeship offers progression toward a qualified Residential Support Worker position.

Qualifications

• GCSEs in English and Maths required.
• Willingness to complete a Level 4 apprenticeship.
• Excellent communication and safeguarding awareness.

Responsibilities

• Care & support: assist with daily routines, meals, activities, and household tasks to ensure a safe, structured home environment.
• Relationship building: develop positive relationships with young people and support care plans.
• Learning & development: work with experienced staff to build practical skills and knowledge and participate in training.
• Safeguarding & behaviour support: promote safeguarding and use approved behaviour management approaches.
• Recording & communication: maintain accurate records and contribute to effective team communication.

Skills

Emotional resilience

Patience

Teamwork

Safeguarding awareness

Education

GCSE English & Maths

Level 4 apprenticeship

Relevant care qualifications

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Kyloe House Children's Secure Home, Netherton Park, Stannington

Apprentice Residential Care Worker - Kyloe House

Job Reference ncc/TP/70/3063/SA(R1)

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Fixed Term

Working Hours:

37

Location:

Kyloe House Children's Secure Home, Netherton Park, Stannington

Closing Date:

08/10/2026

Job Category:

Region / Division:

Directorate:

Job Introduction

Apprentice Residential Support Worker (No Prior Experience Required) – Kyloe House Secure Children's Home

Location: Kyloe House, Netherton Park, Stannington, Morpeth, NE61 6DE

Additional Benefits

• Fully funded Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4 Apprenticeship
• Enhanced pay for evenings, weekends, and sleep-in duties
• Access to Northumberland County Council staff benefits , including:
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Discounts at leisure and cultural venues
  • Free onsite gym access

AboutUs

Kyloe House provides a safe, structured and nurturing environment for young people who have experienced significant challenges. Many arrive feeling unsafe, mistrustful, or overwhelmed, and their emotions can change quickly throughout the day. We use a trauma ‑ informed approach, recognising each young person’s individual needs,strengthsand potential.

Relationships are central to our work, but they take time,patienceand consistency. Some days are emotionally demanding; others are incredibly rewarding. Progress is rarely linear.

Our aim is not just to provide care, but to help young people feel safe, understood, and capable of achieving positive outcomes in their lives.

What This Apprenticeship Is

This is a training role. You will not join as a fully qualified Residential Support Worker. You will learn gradually through shadowing, structured training, and a fully funded Level 4 apprenticeship. You will always work alongside experienced staff and will be supported every step of the way.

About the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity to begin a rewarding career while gaining a recognised qualification. As an apprentice, you will gradually build your confidence and skills. You will not be expected to manage complex situations alone. You will work as part of a supportive team, shadowing experienced staff , learning routines, and developing the practical skills needed to progress into a qualified Residential Support Worker role.

This is a rewarding but demanding role. The young people we support have often experienced trauma, loss, or instability, which can sometimes present as:

• Strong emotions, including anger or distress
• Challenging, confrontational, or disruptive behaviour
• Periods of disengagement or difficulty building trust

You will need to remain calm, patient, and professional in emotionally charged situations, and be able to work as part of a team tomaintaina safe environment.This role is not always easy—but for the right person, it is deeply meaningful. You will have the opportunity to build trust, support change, and help young people move towards a more positive future.

A Realistic Look at the Work

We want you to join us with a clear understanding of the role. This work is meaningful, but it is not easy.

You may experience situations such as:

• Plans changing suddenly due to risk, mood, or safeguarding needs
• A young person making progress one day and stepping back the next
• Managing confrontational or disruptive behaviour as part of a team response

You will also be involved in practical, everyday tasks:

• Preparing meals, supporting routines, and keeping shared spaces clean
• Completing detailed written records after incidents or key events
• Being physically active throughout the shift—moving around the unit, supporting activities, and responding quickly when needed

What You Can Expect as an Apprentice

• A structured induction and shadowing period before taking on responsibilities
• Regular protected learning time for your Level 4 apprenticeship
• Close supervision and coaching from experienced Residential Support Workers
• Gradual exposure to more complex tasks as your confidence grows
• Clear progression milestones so you always knowwhat’sexpected at each stage

Working Pattern

Flexible shift pattern including early, late, and sleep ‑ in shifts.

Shifts can be long and fast ‑ paced , and sleep ‑ ins form a regular part of the rota. You will often work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. This role suits people who can adapt to changing plans and maintain energy across varied hours.

Key Responsibilities

Care & Support

• Support the safety, wellbeing, and development of young people in a secure environment
• Assistwith daily routines, including meals, activities, and household tasks
• Help create a safe, structured, and nurturing home environment

Relationship Building

• Build positive, professional relationships with young people
• Support the delivery of individual care plans and structured routines

Learning & Development

• Work alongside experienced staff to develop practical skills and knowledge
• Learn and apply behaviour management approaches, including CALM techniques
• Actively participate in training, supervision, and apprenticeship learning

Safeguarding & Behaviour Support

• Promote safeguarding and welfare at all times
• Support positive behaviour management using approved approaches

Recording & Communication

• Maintain accurate records and contribute to effective team communication
• Share information appropriately to support consistent care delivery

About You

We are looking for individuals who are:

• Emotionally resilient and able to stay calm under pressure
• Patient and consistent, even when progress feels slow
• Able to respond professionally to challenging or confrontational behaviour
• Reflective and open to learning fromdifficult situations
• Genuinely committed to supporting young people who may struggle to engage

This role is ideal for people who:

• Want to make a genuine difference in young people’s lives
• Are prepared for both the challenges and rewards of residential care
• Can manage shifting emotions and uncertainty in a calm, professional way

This role may be challenging for those who:

• Prefer highly predictable or routine work
• Find conflict or emotional situations difficult to manage
• Struggle with shift work or sudden changes in plans
• GCSEs (Grade 4/C or above) in English and Maths
• Willingness to complete a Level 4 apprenticeship qualification
• Ability to work shifts, including sleep-in duties
• Ability to meet safeguarding and safer recruitment requirements
• Experience working or volunteering with children or young people
• Basic understanding of safeguarding or behaviour support
• This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check
• Northumberland County Council follows robust safer recruitment processes
• Due to Children’s Homes Regulations, applicants must be aged 22 or over to work in a secure setting

Northumberland County Council is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be provided whererequired.

Why Join Us?

• This apprenticeship is a supported pathway into a qualified Residential Support Worker role, with clear progression and full training provided.
• Gain a recognised qualification while earning
• Make a real difference in the lives of young people
• You will never face difficult situations alone — you will work within a supportive team who debrief, reflect, and problem solve together.
• Access clear career progression opportunities
• Develop valuable skills in a rewarding and meaningful role